Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Greater New Orleans

Change Region

comments

Gretna visitors' center project gets $90,000 from Jefferson Parish

gretnaheritage.jpg

The Gretna City Council approved an agreement Tuesday with the University of Washington to develop a serenity and learning garden for the heritage house, which will serve as the city's tourist center. Jefferson Parish will donate $90,000 to fund the garden and green space development.
(NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune file photo)

The Gretna visitors' center, serenity garden and park project received a boost Tuesday when the City Council signed off on an agreement with Jefferson Parish, which will contribute $90,000 toward the development. The council received an update on the project from architect Russell Burgdahl, who said drawings for the interior work on the building at Huey P. Long Avenue and 11th Street are nearly complete.

The next step will be to write specifications so the city can move forward with soliciting bids for the project.

"We're trying to do a simple restoration that pays homage to the building in its original state,'' Burgdahl said, adding that architects are being mindful of expenses.

Councilwoman and Mayor-elect Belinda Constant has spearheaded the project, which aims to serve as a tourist center as well as an information hub for residents. She has said schoolchildren would be able to learn about the city's history in the house, which dates to the 1840s.

The council also on Tuesday introduced an ordinance that will allocate an extra $70,000 in city money to the project. That ordinance is scheduled for final adoption in June.

The parish money would pay the University of Washington to create the serenity and learning garden as well as a playground at the site.